A scene from ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t review: It’s a magical show

‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ brings the fun back into a franchise that faltered a little the last time it took the stage.

The Now You See Me franchise builds on the age-old connection between magicians and con artists, which continues in the shrewdly named sequel, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

The Horsemen — Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt (Woody Harrelson), Jack (Dave Franco), Henley (Isla Fisher) and Lula (Lizzy Caplan) — haven’t graced the stage together in a decade (which is coincidentally almost the same amount of time since the last sequel). But they’re drawn out of hiding by a trio of young magicians who revive their revered stunt of taking from the rich and giving to the poor. The Eye recruits everyone to takedown a diamond heiress (Rosamund Pike) whose family built their empire by working with criminals. However, with unprecedented security to circumvent, stealing the prized heart diamond will be their most difficult heist yet.

While reuniting with his Zombieland stars, director Ruben Fleischer reinvigorates the series after a less-than-compelling first sequel. The original Horsemen resume their roles effortlessly, but it’s the new generation that inject the narrative with youthful energy. Bosco (Dominic Sessa) is a chameleon, skilfully assuming other people’s voices and appearances. June (Ariana Greenblatt) is an expert pickpocket and parkourist. Charlie (Justice Smith) is the brains behind their small operation, designing their tricks and recalling all kinds of useless magic facts.

This franchise repeatedly finds exciting ways to blur the thin line between magic and elaborate heists. The jet setting magicians shoot in some interesting locations, including the Formula 1 track in Abu Dhabi. However, the most fascinating set is an old magician’s house. It’s like an adult funhouse! It has hidden passages, rooms that fully rotate, furniture that makes people appear giant or tiny, a mirror maze and an M. C. Escher chamber. Even the front door requires they solve a puzzle to gain entry.

The franchise’s success lies with its flashy personalities and intricate tricks, and it brings both in this installment.

Read the full review of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t at thatshelf.com.

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco

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